Chables v



(No Model.)

' G. V. MULLIG-AN.

CLASP.

- No. 289,690. Patented Dec. 4, 1883.

MM. I I $1 5.2.

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WITNESSES: 4 INVENTOR- WWW: Y- MMMQww ATTORNEYS N. PETERS. Phcio-Lilhcgnphur. Wanluingkan. n. c.

. Nrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES v; MULLIGAN, on NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ZINN & MESSER,

or SAME PLACE.

CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,690, dated December 4, 1883.

Application filed October 10,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES V. MULLIGAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention'relates to a clasp for pocketbooks, suspenders, and other articles; and it consists in the combination of a base, shell, or supporting-plate, a cap provided with a slotted tail-piece adapted to engage with said shell and to allow the cap to be slid longitudinally into such positions that the same is free to swing up and down, or that it is locked in its closed position and prevented from accidentally opening a bearing for the free end of the cap-plate when in its closed position/and a spring bearing upon the tail-piece of the cap, for automatically sliding the latter to its locked position when said cap is closed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a plan view of the clasp in connection with a suspender-end. Fig. 2 is a section in the plane as 00, Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a section in the plane y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the clasp provided with prongs for attaching the same to a pocket-book, satchel, and the like. Fig. 5 shows a side view, partly in section, of a modification of the device in which the stud is omitted.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings,the letter A designates the base or supporting plate of the clasp, which can be cheaply stamped out of sheet metal. This base is provided with arms b b. The letter B represents the cap, which is provided with a tail-piece, e, which tail-piece is pro vided with slots, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In the example shown the cap B and base A are connected by a pintle, O, which passes through the arms I) b in the base A and through the slots inthe tail-piece c. The slots in the tail-piece 6 allow the cap B to be moved backward into such a position that when the cap B is attempted to be swung up the are which would be described by the end of the tail-piece e farthest from the spindle 0 would intersect the base A, in which case it is impossible to swing the cap B up, and the same is consequently looked, as seen in full lines in Fig. 3. When it is attempted to swing the cap B up to open the clasp, said cap has first to be moved forward,which motion is rendered possible bythe play furnished by the slots in the tail-piece e. When the cap B has been thus moved forward until the distance of the end of the tail-piece e farthest from the pintle G has been so shortened that the are de-' scribed by said end of the tail-piece upon swinging the cap B upward lies tangent to the base A, the cap B is free to be pushed up or raised, and the clasp can be opened, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. A spring, f, is provided, which bears upon the tail-piece e, and when the cap B is swung down to a closing posit-ion the action of the spring f on the tail-piece 6 causes the cap B to move backward into the locking position. Before the cap B can be swung up it has to be moved forward against the resistance of the spring f until it is out of the locking position, and any accidental opening of the device is thus prevented. A bearing is provided for the free end of the cap-plate when it is brought to its closed position, which bearing, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, consists of a stud, d, attached to the base-plate, while in Fig. 5 the bearlng consists of a lateral projection, 01, formed by bending the lower end of the base-plate. This bearing may be otherwise constructed or arranged, its main object being to provide a rest for the lap-plate when closed; but where the stud d is used it also su'bserves the function of a support for a suspender-end, while the bent end (1 will serve to hold a suspender between it and the cap-plate. The stud d is especially useful where the device is used on a pocketbook.

The clasp may be used for attaching susponder-ends; or it may be used on pocket books, satchels, and the like, in which case the base A has to be provided with prongs g,Fig. 4, or other suitable devices for attaching the clasp to the pocket-book or other article to which it is to be attached.

I am aware that in the Reissued Patent No.

8,106, of February 26, 1878, is described a clasp in which a sliding motion may be given to the cap, so that when the same is moved back it will open and when moved forward it will close, and such arrangement I consequently do not broadly claim.

Of course my lock maybe modified in construction without departing fromthe spirit of my inventionas,for example, in place of having the slot in the tailpiece e, the tail-piece 0 may be provided with arms or prongs which enter or extend into slots in the arms I) b, whereby it will be readily seen the cap B can be moved forward and backward and swung up and down in the same manner as above described; or, in place of a pintle, O, the arms b b may be provided with laterally extending arms or prongs which project into the slots in the tail-piece e.

The base A may also be given a rounded form to allow the ready swinging up and down of the tailpiece e.

The letter h indicates an eye or loop of the clasp, to which a Suspender-strap may be attached.

The base A may be provided with a recess or depression, t, Fig. 3, into which the end of the tail-piece 6 may swing when the cap 13 is opened. 7

Should it be desired to use the stud d in connection with a suspender-end, it will be well to have a roller or sleeve upon the stud,which will revolve on the stud and prevent the stud chafing the suspender-end.

The letters k 70 indicate suspender-ends, and

in Fig. 3 these suspender-ends 7c 70 are shown with perforations near their ends, through which the stud d passes, and into which perforations may be fastened an eyelet, which holds the suspender-ends together and prevents the stud d chafing the suspender-ends.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A clasp consisting of abase-plate having projecting side arms, b b, the swinging cap B, journaled to the arms and having atail-piece, e, provided with slots, through which the 3 ournal of the cap passes,to permit the cap to slide longitudinally in opposite directions for locking and unlocking it as regards its swinging movements, a rest or bearing for the cap-plate when closed, and a spring, 1', acting on the tailpiece for sliding the cap longitudinally to its locked position, substantially as described 2. The combination, with a clasp having a cap-piece adapted to swing open when slid longitudinally in one direction and locked against swinging when slid in the opposite direction, of a spring arranged in the tail-piece of the cap to automatically slide the latter 60 and lock it against swinging when said cap is swung to its closed position, and a rest or bearing for the cap-plate when closed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 65 hand and seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. V. MULLIGAN.

Witnesses:

WVM. O. HAUFF, E. F. KASTENHUBER. 

